HIV/AIDS Flashcards
What group of viruses does HIV belong to?
retroviridae group
How does the virus replicate within infected host cells?
Carries RNA genome and a reverse transcriptase enzyme (RNA-directed DNA polymerase)
How does HIV infect cells?
Affinity for binding to specific cell surface receptor molecule (CD4+)
What cell count do you monitor in HIV to monitor dz progress?
CD4+
MC mode of infection for HIV
sexual transmission across exposed mucosal epithelium
Viral pathogenesis
~ Proliferation of infected CD4+ T lymphocytes + migration of infected macrophages = appearance of viral RNA in bloodstream
~Widespread secondary amplification of infection within lymphoid tissue of:
- Gastrointestinal tract (Peyer’s patches)
- Spleen
- Bone marrow
Viral pathogenesis results
- Depression of functional capacity of T lymphocytes
- Depletion of helper T cells
- Impairment of killer T cell action
- Increased suppressor T cells
Who should be tested for HIV?
- all people 15-65 regardless of risk, at least once
- all pregnant women prior to childbirth
- younger/older individuals with increased risk factors
Initial testing of HIV
FDA-approved 4th-generation antigen/antibody combination immunoassay – detects HIV-1 & HIV-2 antibodies and HIV-1 p24 antigen
What is no longer recommended for HIV testing
ELISA, HIV-1 Western blot, and HIV-1 IFA no longer part of recommended algorithm
HIV Serology CD4 cell count
- The best measure of the status of the immune system and disease progression
- Demonstrates the risk of opportunistic infections
- Helps determine when to start antiretroviral therapy and PCP prophylaxis; also helps in evaluating the immune system’s response to this therapy
- If untreated, CD4 count declines at a rate of approximately 50 cells per year
HIV CD4 counts >500 cells
- minimal compromise in the immune system and the threat of HIV-related infection or illness is marginal
CD4 count 200-500
- risk of HIV-related conditions, such as herpes zoster, TB, lymphoma, bacterial pneumonias, and Kaposi sarcoma, increases
CD4 count <200
- when most of the opportunistic infections that define AIDS present
HIV viral load is used to measure…
- measure the response to and efficacy of HAART; gives corresponding predictive information to the CD4 count
- If the viral load is still > 50 after 4 months of therapy, regimen modification may be needed
Acute infection of HIV
- Initially appears with a syndrome similar to that seen with mononucleosis
- Occurs about 2-4 weeks after exposure to HIV
- Sx consistent with flu/mono
- this duration is brief: 3 days to 2 wks
ASx/Latent infection of HIV
- Seropositive: no Signs/Sx of HIV infection
- Normal CD4 count
- Longest phase: lasting 4-7 yrs
Symptomatic infection of HIV
- “Pre-AIDS”
- 1st notice of immunocompromised state
- Phase length tends to vary with efficacy of tx and condition of immune system
Neurologic Sx of HIV infection symptoms
- meningitis
- encephalitis
- peripheral neuropathy
- myelopathy
Dermatological Sx of HIV infection symptoms
- erythematous maculopapular rash
- mucocuatneous ulceration
Sx HIV infection clinical manifestations
- Persistent generalized lymphadenopathy
- Localized fungal infections (e.g., onychomycosis, thrush)
- Intractable vaginal yeast and trichomonal infections in females
- Oral hairy leukoplakia on the tongue
- Dermatologic conditions: seborrheic dermatitis, psoriasis exacerbations, molluscum contagiosum, warts
- Constitutional symptoms: night sweats, weight loss, diarrhea
Clinical manifestations of AIDS
- Marked immune suppression
- Onset of disseminated opportunistic infections and malignancies
- CD4 count < 200/mm3
Sexual transmission of HIV
- MC mode of transmission
- No cases of transmission from saliva or tears documented
- Highest risk: unprotected anal receptive intercourse
- Latex condoms: reduce risk by 70-80%
- oral sex can result in transmission of HIV/STI’s
Needle sharing modes of transmission
- Risk of sustaining HIV infection from a needle stick with infected blood = 1 in 300
- Behavior can increase risk (needle sharing, “booting” the injection with blood, and performing frequent injections)
- Crack cocaine use (the injection or smoking) is associated with increased prevalence of HIV infection (cocaine for sex bartering)
- Secondary transmission occurs to children and sexual partners
Perinatal transmission of HIV/AIDS
- Vertical transmission: in utero, during childbirth, via breast-feeding
- Without prophylactic treatment, approximately 25% of children born to HIV-infected mothers will contract the disease as well
- 50% risk with prolonged breast-feeding
- Neonatal immune system is immature = increased susceptibility to many infections
- Transmission most commonly occurs during childbirth and early breast-feeding stages
- Worldwide, perinatal transmission = most common method of transmission of HIV to children
Occupational exposures of HIV/AIDS
- Needle stick is most common route of occupational exposure
- Thousands of cases studied with 58 cases of well-documented infection reported in US (41% were nurses)
- Risk via this route is low, but every effort should be made to decrease the risk to negligible or zero
- Educational efforts, engineering controls and needled and sharp edged medical devices, use of hard plastic sharps containers, and development of procedural details to avoid blood and body fluid contact all can result in reduced exposure rate
- Basically, use Universal Precautions for everyone
Post-exposure Prophylaxis medications
NOT PReP: pre-exposure
- emtricitabine
- raltegravir
- tenofovir
Start as soon as possible after potential exposure and continue for four weeks.
SDE of Nuclesoide Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors (NRTI)
- BM suppression
- Peripheral neuropathy
- Megaloblastic anemia (ZDV drug)
- Pancreatitis
Nuclesoide Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors (NRTI) drugs
- Abacavir (ABC)
- Didanosine
- Emtricitabine
- Lamivudine
- Stavudine
- Tenofovir
- Zalcitabine
- Zidovudine (ZDV)